Adjustable filler valve



Nov. 3, 1964 F. N. HUBBARD E TAL 3,155,127

ADJUSTABLE FILLED'VALVE:

Filed July 25, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FREDERICK N. HUBBARD BY CLA/R A. As 'rf/l//l/ ATTOkNE Y Nov. 3, 1964 F, N HUBBARD` ETAL 3,155,127

ADJUSTABLE FILLED VALVE:

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 25, 1962 INVENTORS FREDERICK N. HUBBARD CLAIR A. wEAsT BY ATTO/ENE Y United States Patent O 3,155,27 ADVISEABLE FLLER VALVE Frederick N. Hubbard, tochten, and Clair A. Wenst, lvlanteca, Colli., assignors to lillie Lewis Foods, lne., Stockton, Cali., a corporation of California Filed July 25, 13162, Ser. No. 212,431 1i) Claims. (Ci. 141-4286) This invention relates to an improved iilling valve for use in dispensing a quantity of liquid into a can to a desired predetermined level.

in canning various products it is often necessary to add an amount of liquid such as a Sirup to the packed can before it is sealed. Generally, it is most important that the liquid or Sirup be filled to just the right level in the can. Too little could cause some discoloration or other adverse elfects on the solid food in the can, and too much Sirup could result in wastage as well as messy conditions during the sealing of the cans.

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide an improved can-filling valve for a liquid dispensing apparatus on a canning line that is highly accurate and reliable. These objectives are attained inrour invention by a unique combination of elements embodying a relatively simple yet rugged construction that cooperate to provide a smooth acting, positive sealing valve action and which are capable of trouble free operation for long periods of time.

Another object of the invention is to provide a canilling valve for a siruping dispenser that is unusually free ilowing and will not clog or get obstructed between its outlet ports and the sirup supply tank and is thus capable of rapid operation.

Still another important object of our invention is to provide a can-filling valve that makes it unnecessary to locate precisely the can being iilled relative to the displacement body of the Valve. Generally, in can lilling devices the cans are moved along a line below the liquid supply tank and are raised automatically upward against a valve in the bottom of the tank during the filling operation. As the valve is actuated to dispense liquid into the can there must be some means to seal around the can and keep it from overflowing. in the prior art tln's sealing was accomplished by using a displacement body only slightly smaller in diameter than the can which was adapted to lit within the can and seal it during the lilling operation. One serious disadvantage with this arrangement was that it required each can to be positioned precisely below the valve and its displacement body before being raised to actuate the valve. ln our invention we have overcome this problem so that the displacement body that controls the desired amount of unfilled space in the can after it has been iilled does not have to form a seal around the can during the filling process as in the prior art can iilling valves. With our valve the open can edge is moved upward against an annular sealing ring during the sealing process and the ring is then movable relative to the displacement body to control the flow of liquid from the supply tank. The sealing ring has a substantial width, and the displacement body is substantially smaller than the cans being lilled so that each can, even though not perfectly aligned with the displacement body easily passes over it and engages the sealing ring as it is raised u ward. Thus, with our iilling valve, the can filling process can not only be speeded up but the entire Sirup adding operation also becomes smoother and less wasteful.

Another object of.our invention is to provide a canlling valve having a displacement member that can be easily adjusted to the proper shape to vary its volume and thus provide the desired liquid level in the cans being iilled.

3,l55,i2? Patented Nov. 3, 1964 A further object of the present invention is to provide a liquid dispenser apparatus for filling cans wherein a supply tank furnishes liquid for a plurality of valves and wherein the displacement members of the valves can be adjusted either separately or simultaneously.

Yet another object of our invention is to provide a filling valve for dispensing Sirup into cans to a desired level that is particularly effective in Ventilating the can so that the displacement member can be moved rapidly into it and will not trap air in the can that would atleet the liquid level after the illing operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a can lilling valve for a Sirup dispensing apparatus that is particularly well adapted for ease and economy of manufacture.

Other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of one preferred embodiment thereof presented in accordance with 35 USC 112.

In the drawings:

FIG. l is a fragmentary plan view of a sirup dispensing valve utilizing filling valves embodying the principles of the invention;

FG. 2 is a view in elevation and in section taken along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1 showing details of a iilling valve, according to the invention, before it has been opened;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view in elevation and in section showing the filling valve of FIG. 2 as it appears when in the open, dispensing position;

FIG. 4 is a plan view in section taken along line 4 4 of FIG. 3; an additional portion is broken away in section to show greater detail;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary View in perspective of the adjustable diaphragm according to the invention; With reference to the drawings, FiG. 1 shows a caniilling valve structure 1li embodying the principles of the invention as it appears when installed with other such valves in a sirup dispensing machine il. FlG. 2 shows a single valve i9 in detail and in the closed position. The machine 1l generally comprises a supply tank 12 for retaining a quantity of sirup or liquid that is to be added to the open cans of food in a canning line before they are covered and sealed. The tank 12 may have one or, as shown by the machine of FIG. 1, a plurality of openings 13 in its bottom 14, and each opening is provided with a can-filling valve 10.

The valve 1t) is so constructed and arranged that it is readily insertable into the upper portion of each can 15 in a moving can line that is brought into substantial vertical alignment with a valve 1li. Upon the insertion of the valve by means of a relative axial movement of the can against the valve, a predetermined amount 'of liquid is automatically dispensed from the tank into the can to the exact desired level. `To accommodate different can sizes and varying sirup requirements for different foods, the valve 10 can readily be adjusted to control the level to which each can is filled.

Our improved can filling valve structure 1i) is positive in its sealing action when closed, yet sensitive and responsive in its operation. One' important characteristic feature is that it overcomes the problem of prior art lilling valve structures of having to provide an almost exact alignment of the can below the valve during the lilling operation. This is practically impossible to do in a fast moving canning line.

lescribing now the valve structure lil in detail as shown in FIGS. l and 3, it has a generally tubular twopart body 16 consisting of an upper portion 17 and a lower portion 1S that is threaded thereto. The valve body le is in effect a liller pipe and the upper portion 17 is retained in a tank opening 13 by means of a lock nut 19. The lower body portion 18 has a central bore 2t) aie-5,12?

with an outwardly tapered portion Za at its lower end and a radially extending flange portion 21 around the tapered bore portion. Spaced axially above the flange portion 21 is a radial lip portion 22 that forms a circumferential groove 23 around the lower body portion 18. I ust above the `groove 23 are circumferentially spaced apart radial passages 24 extending through the wall of the lower body portion 18 into its bore 29 (see FIG. 4).

Around the -upper body portion 17, and slidably fitted thereto is a movable sealing member 2S in the form of a tubular sleeve and having a radially extending preferably integral annular ilange portion 26 at its lower end. An easy sliding clearance is provided between the sleeve member 25, and the upper body portion 17, and a uidtight seal between the two members is provided by means of an O-ring 27 of food seal rubber that is seated in a circumferential groove 23 located between the ends and extending axially for a substantial portion of the length of the outer wall of the upper body portion 17. The radially extending flange portion 26 of the sieeve member 25 has an outer downwardly extending lip 29 and thereby forms an annular recessed seat 3i) for retaining an annular sealing ring 31 of resient food seal rubber material. The ring 31 has a generous radial width and an outside diameter that is sui'liciently large so that it wiil readily engage the upper edge of an open can 15 in a conveying can line even though the can is not perfectly centered beneath the Valve 10 during the filling operation.

Attached to the lower housing portion 13 and axially aligned to the annular sealing ring 31 is a circular diaphragm member 32 of exible resilient food grade rubber material. The diaphragm 32 has a small central bore 33, and embedded within the bore 33 is a metal bushing member 34 having internal threads 3S. The diaphragm 32 is attached by means of the threads 35 to a vent pipe 36 which extends upwardly through the valve body 16 and above the liquid level in the supply tank 12. At its periphery the diaphragm displacement member 32 extends first axially upward and then inwardly around the lower iiange 21 of the lower body portion 18, thereby forming a radially inwardly extending ange portion 37 that ts within the circumferential groove 23 formed by the lip 22. As shown n FIG. 5, the diaphragm 32 is provided with a plurality of radial grooves 38 on its lower surface 39 extending from its central bore 33. The grooves 38 provide a means for air to escape from the can through the vent pipe 36 as the diaphragm displacement member 32 is inserted into the can 15. These grooves also enable the diaphragm 32 to iiex easily when it is necessary to adjust the level of the sirup being dispensed into each can by changing the displacement volume of the diaphragm.

On the upper surface of the metal annular flange portion 26 of the slidable sealing member 25 are a series oi short circumferentially spaced apart spring retaining stud members 40, and spaced between these are an equal number of xed upwardly extending guide pins 41. The stud members 40 are axially aligned with similar stud members 42 that are fixed to the bottom 14 of the tank 12 around the opening 13 and between which are iixed an equal number of sleeve members 43 adapted to slidably receive the aligned guide pins 41. A pre-compressed coil spring 44 is fitted between each pair of aligned stud members 40 and 42 so that the annular sealing ring 31 is normally urged downward by the springs 44 into sealing engagement with the upper liange portion 37 of the diaphragm displacement member 32 to keep the valve closed as shown in PIG. 2.

The vent pipe 36 is formed of rigid metal material and is retained at its upper end by an adjustable bracket assembly 45 fixed to the edge of the supply tank 12 (see FlGS. l and 2). The bracket assembly comprises an arm 46 having a circular opening 47 near its end and bifurcated end portions 48 that are coinpressible together by a controllable locking screw 49. The opening 47 is somewhat larger than the diameter of the vent pipe 36 so that it can be easily inserted therein and then gripped tightly when the locking screw 49 draws the bifurcated end portions 48 together.

The arm 4d of the bracket assembly 45 is xed to the side of the tank 12 so that it can be adjusted upward or downward to any desired fixed position. In the dispensing machine 11 of FIGS. l and 2 this adjustment can be accomplished simultaneously on four can-iilling valves 16 connected to the tank 12. Attached at spaced apart intervals at the side of a circular tank 12 are four support brackets 5t? each retaining an upwardly extending bolt 51. The bolts S1 extendthrough an adjustable ring member 52 which is maintained in position by a pair of nuts 53 and 54 threaded on the bolt and located on upper and lower sides of the ring 52. The arms 46 for controlling the similar can-filling are fixed as by welding to the ring 52 between the bolts 51. Thus, when the ring 52 is moved lupward or downward, the arms 46 and their attached vent pipes 36 are moved accordingly.

As each vent pipe 35 is moved upward or downward it causes the diaphragm displacement member 32 at its lower end 39 to flex to the desired shape, and this movement adjusts its volume by an amount that will provide the correct level of liquid within the can being lled. For example, in FIG. 2 the solid lines of the diaphragm 32 show it in the nor-mal uniiexed position, but the dotted lines show how it would appear if it were adjusted to an expanded position (by lowering the vent pipe 36 in the bracket 46), so that less liquid would be supplied to each can.

The operation of our valve 1t? may be easily understood with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3. As the open cans of food, such as fruit are moved along a canning line, they pause momentarily in position underneath a can-filling valve 1u as shown in FIG. 2. At this stage the valve is closed with the sealing ring 31 being urged tightly into sealing engagement against the ange 37 of the diaphragm 32.' Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the can 15 is moved upward by a suitable elevation device 55. The upper rim 56 of the can 1S engages the annular sealing ring 31 that is normally being held downward in sealing engagement with the upper rim portion 37 of the diaphragm 32. Even though the can 15 may not be posiltioned with precision below the valve 19, in moving upward it easily passes over or around the diaphragm displacement body 32. This is because in our invention it is not necessary for the diaphragm displacement body 32 to provide a seal around the can during the dispensing operation and it therefore can have a much smaller diameter than the can. The elevating force on the can 1S causes the annular ring 31 to retract upward against the force of the springs 44, and the diaphragm 32 thus enters the top of the open can and displaces a predetermined volume within it depending on how the diaphragm has been preiiexed by the position of the vent pipe 36. As the annular ring 31 and the diaphragm 32 are separated, liquid from the supply tank 12 is allowed to iiow through the openings 24 in the valve body 16 into the can 15. In the present invention the relative large diameter of the connected upper and lower body portions 17 and 18 and the small diameter for the vent pipe 36 provides ample cross section for a free flow of sirup through the openings or ports 24 and eliminates any entrapment of fluids or products between the lling tank 12 and the can 1S.

When the can is lled with liquid the elevating force on the can is released and the can is retracted downward, and the annular ring 31 automatically closes against the diaphragm 32. As the diaphragm 32 is removed from the can the liquid level in lthe can 15 no w falls to its predetermined level below the rim 56 as controlled by the preset volume of the displacement body 36.

To those skilled in the art Ito which this invention relates, many changes in construction and widely diiering embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

We claim:

l. A valve struc-ture for filling cans to a predetermined level from la supply tank comprising in combination:

a tubular valve body forming a filler pipe and fixed to the bottom `of the supply tank;

'an annular valve seat member including an elastomeric ring located around and movable axially relative to said tubular valve body;

a displacement member of elastomeric material attached to the lower end of said tubular valve body and having an annular upper sealing rim portion and a iiexible base portion with a central air exit port, said member having a diameter substantially less 'than the cans being lled, and somewhat greater Athan the inside diameter of `said annular valve seat, said tubular valve body having `radial iluid passages therein above said displacement member;

a tubular venn'laftion duct fixed at its lower end to said displacement member 4at its said air exit port, said duct extending upward through said valve body and above the liquid level of the supply tank;

means for retaining said duct -at its upper end in a fixed position relative lto said valve body, thereby retain ing said base portion of said displacement member in a predetermined flexed position to control the displacement volume thereof;

spring means for constantly urg'mg said annular valve seat into sealing engagement with said upper sealing portion or" said displacement member;

whereby said displacement member extends into the can when the can is elevated to engage and move said annular valve seat upward to release liquid from said supply tank through said uid passages in the filler pipe.

2. A valve structure for iilling cans to a predetermined level from a supply tank comprising in combination:

ia tubular valve body forming a filler pipe and fixed to the bottom of the supply tank;

ian annular valve seat member including an elastomeric ring located around and movably axially relative to said tubular valve body;

a displacement member of elastomeric material attached to the lower end of said tubular valve body and having an annular upper sealing rim portion and a flexible base portion with a central air exit port, said member having a diameter substantially less than the cans being filled, yand somewhat greater than the inside diameter of said annular valve seat, said tubular valve body having radi-al iiuid passages therein above said displacement member;

means for flexing said displacement member to ia desired shape to control its displacement volume;

spring means for constantly urging said annular valve seat into sealing engagement with said upper sealing portion of said displacement member;

whereby said displacement member extends into the can when the can is elevated to engage and move said annular valve seat upward to release liquid from said supply tank through said fluid passages in the iiller pipe.

3. A valve structure for filling cans to a predetermined level from a supply tank comprising in combination:

a tubular valve body fixed to the bottom of the supply tank having a central bore and flared flange portion at its lower end;

a movable annular valve seat slidably attached to said tubular valve body;

a liexible displacement member of elastomeric material attached to said harige portion of said tubular valve -body having -an annular upper sealing rim portion and a central base portion with an air exit port, said member having a diameter substantially less than the cans being iilled, and somewhat greater than the inside di-ameter of said annular valve seat, said tubular valve body having radial liuid passages therein above said displacement member;

means fixed to said displacement member for moving said base portion thereof relative to said sealing rim portion to a fixed predetermined position;

and spring means for constantly urging said annular valve seat into sealing engagement with said upper sealing portion of said displacement member;

whereby said displacement member extends into the can when |the can is elevated to engage and move said annular valve seat upward to release liquid from said supply tank through said fluid passages in the filler pipe.

4. A dispensing apparatus for filling receptacles in a canning line with liquid to a desired predetermined level, comprising in combination:

a supply tank;

a plurality of tubular valve bodies iixed at spaced apart locations tothe bottom of the supply tank;

`a displacement body attached to the l-ower end of each said valve body having `an annular upper sealing rim por-tion and a flexible circular base portion with a central Ventilating port, each said valve body having fluid passages therein :above la said displacement body adapted to communicate ythrough said valve body with said supply tank; l

an upwardly yieldable annular valve member on each said valve body adapted to block said openings when engaged against said sealing rin-1 portion of said displacement body;

means urging each said annular valve member into sealing engagement with said sealing rim portion oi its said displacement body;

duct means connected to said flexible base portion of said displacement body on each said valve, in communication with said port and extending upward through said tubular valve bodies above the liquid level of said tank;

means for gripping each said individual duct means above the liquid level of the tank;

means connected to said gripping means for simultaneously adjusting the vertical positions of fall of said duct means relative to their said tubular valve bodies thereby adjusting the shape and the displacement volume of all said displacement bodies to the xed predetermined 'amount necessary to achieve the desired liquid level in fthe receptacles being filled.

5. A dispensinsy apparatus for iilling receptacles in a canning line with liquid to a desired predetermined level, comprising in combination:

a supply tank;

a plurality of tubular valve bodies fixed at spaced apart locations to the bottom of the supply tank;

a displacement body attached to the lower end of each said valve body having an annular upper sealing rim portion and a iiexible circular base portion with a central Ventilating port, each said valve body having uid passages therein above a said displacement body adapted to communicate through said valve body with said supply tank;

an upwardly yieldable annular valve member on each said valve body adapted to block said openings when engaged against said sealing rim portion of said displacement body;

means urging each said annular valve member into sealing engagement with said sealing rim portion or" its said displacement body;

duct means connected to said flexible base portion of said displacement body on each said valve in communication with said port and extending upward through said tubular valve bodies above the liquid level of said tank;

Va bifurcated adjustable gripping means attached to each said duct means above the liquid level of the supply tank;

a ring member fixed to all of said gripping means;

and means attached to said supply tank for varying the vertical position of said ring member for thereby simultaneously adjusting the vertical positions of all of said duct means relative to their valve bodies and thus the shape and displacement volume of said displacement bodies.

6. A dispensing apparatus for filling receptacles in a canning line with liquid to a desired predetermined level, comprising in combination:

a supply tank;

a plurality of t lbular valve bodies fixed at spaced apart locations to the bottom of the supply tank;

a flexible displacement body attached to the lower end of each said valve body, each said valve body having iluid passages therein above a said displacement body adapted to communicate through said valve body with said supply tank;

a movable annular valve member on each said valve body adapted to block said openings when engaged against said sealing rim portion of said displacement body;

spring means normally urging each said annular valve member into sealing engagement with said displacement body;

tubular Ventilating means connected to said displacement body on each said valve extending upward through each `of said tubular valve bodies above the liquid level of said tank;

means for gripping each said tubular means at a point above the liquid level of the supply tank;

and a vertically adjustable ring connecting all of said gripping means for simultaneously moving said tubular means to vary the volume of said displacement bodies.

7. A valve for filling cans with liquid from a supply tank to a desired predetermined level comprising in combination;

a tubular valve member fixed to the bottom of the supply tank;

a ilexible displacement body ot deformable elastomeric material fixed to the lower end of said tubular Valve body, said valve member having tluid passages adapted to communicate through said valve body with the supply tank;

a vertically movable sleeve adapted to block said passages when engaged with said displacement body and having an annular flange portion;

spring means normally urging said annular ange portion into sealing engagement with said displacement body;

tubular means xed to said displacement body and extending upward through said valve member above the liquid level of the supply tank for allowing air to escape from the can as liquid is dispensed into it and for flexing the displacement body to change its shape and volume;

and means for maintaining the tubular means in a fixed predetermined vertical position.

8. A valve for lling cans with liquid from a supply tank to a desired predetermined level comprising in combination:

a tubular valve body having an upper portionv fixed to the bottom of the supply tank and a removable lower portion with a radial flange and an outwardly iiared inner bore surface on its lower end;

a displacement body of elastomeric material having an annular upper sealing rim portion retained around said radial liange, a flexible circular base portion with a central Ventilating port and a plurality of radial grooves extending from said port to the edges of said displacement body, said valve body having lluid passages communicating through said valve body with the supply tank; j

a movable sleeve like valve member adapted to block said luid passages when engaged with said sealing rim portion of said displacement body;

means for constantly urging said movable valve member into sealing engagement with said sealing rim portion of said displacement body;

and duct means fixed to said llexible base portion at said Ventilating port extending above the liquid level of said supply tank and adjustable vertically to vary the shape and hence the volume of said displacement body;

whereby said displacement body extends into a can when the can is elevated to engage and move said annular valve seat upward to release liquid from the supply tank through said ports in said tubular valve body.

9. A valve for filling cans with liquid from a supply tank to a desired predetermined level comprising in combination:

a xed tubular valve member having a radial ilange on its lower end, and means providing a circumferential groove above said iiange;

a displacement body of elastomeric material xed to the lower end of said valve member, said body comprising an annular upper sealing rim portion retained in said circumferential groove and connected to a side wall portion adapted to extend around said radial iiange and a flexible circular base portion having a central Ventilating port, said valve member having fluid passages communicating through its Walls above said displacement body with the supply tank;

a movable sleeve-like valve member adapted to block said lluid passages when engaged with said sealing rim portion ot said displacement body;

an annular sealing ring fixed to the lower end of said movable valve member;

means for constantly urging said movable valve member and its said annular ring into sealing engagement with said sealing rim portion of said displacement body;

and duct means fixed to said flexible base portion at said ventilating port extending above the liquid level of said supply tank and adjustable vertically to vary the shape and hence the volume of said displacement body;

whereby said displacement body extends into a can When the can is elevated to engage and move said annular valve seat upward to release liquid from the supply tank through said ports in said tubular valve member. n

l0, A valve for filling cans with liquid from a supply tank to a desired predetermined level comprising in combination;

a fixed tubular valve member having a radial flange and a flared inner bore surface on its lower end, and means providing a circumferential groove above said ange;

a displacement body of elastomeric material lixed to the lower end of said valve member, said body comprising an annular upper sealing rim portion retained in said circumferential groove and connected to a side wall portion adapted to extend around said radial flange and a liexible circular base portion having a central Ventilating port, and a plurality of grooves on the lower surface of said base portion extending radially from said port, said valve member having fluid passages communicating through its walls above said displacement body with the supply tank;

a movable sleeve-like valve member adapted to block said fluid passages when engaged with said sealing rim portion of said displacement body;

1 an annular sealing ring ixed to the lower end of said movable Valve member; means for constantly urging said movable valve member and its said annular ring into sealing engagement with said sealing rim portion of said displacement body; and duct means xed to said flexible base portion at said Ventilating port extending above the liquid level of said supply tank and adjustable vertically to vary the shape and hence the volume of said displacement body; whereby said displacement body extends into a can References Cite-d in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Arnold Dec. 10, 1912 Minard July 27, 1943 Loveland Mar. 6, 1951 Luther Nov. 13, 1951 Smith Oct. 9, 1956 

2. A VALVE STRUCTURE FOR FILLING CANS TO A PREDETERMINED LEVEL FROM A SUPPLY TANK COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: A TUBULAR VALVE BODY FORMING A FILLER PIPE AND FIXED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SUPPLY TANK; AN ANNULAR VALVE SEAT MEMBER INCLUDING AN ELASTOMERIC RING LOCATED AROUND AND MOVABLY AXIALLY RELATIVE TO SAID TUBULAR VALVE BODY; A DISPLACEMENT MEMBER OF ELASTOMERIC MATERIAL ATTACHED TO THE LOWER END OF SAID TUBULAR VALVE BODY AND HAVING AN ANNULAR UPPER SEALING RIM PORTION AND A FLEXIBLE BASE PORTION WITH A CENTRAL AIR EXIT PORT, SAID MEMBER HAVING A DIAMETER SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN THE CANS BEING FILLED, AND SOMEWHAT GREATER THAN THE INSIDE DIAMETER OF SAID ANNULAR VALVE SEAT, SAID TUBULAR VALVE BODY HAVING RADIAL FLUID PASSAGES THEREIN ABOVE SAID DISPLACEMENT MEMBER; MEANS FOR FLEXING SAID DISPLACEMENT MEMBER TO A DESIRED SHAPE TO CONTROL ITS DISPLACEMENT VOLUME; SPRING MEANS FOR CONSTANTLY URGING SAID ANNULAR VALVE SEAT INTO SEALING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID UPPER SEAL- 